Political scandal in Iran! Top scorer Sardar Azmoun expelled from the national team ahead of the World Cup
The Iranian national team has suffered a colossal loss just three months before the start of the World Cup.
Details: The top scorer of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Sardar Azmoun, has been excluded from the national squad. According to AlterFutbol, the decision to remove the Iranian number nine was made at the highest level of government.
The reason for such a radical move was the player's recent trip. Just days before the scandal, Azmoun met with the ruler of Dubai and the Vice President of the UAE—a country officially considered an adversary in Iranian political circles. Not only did the footballer meet with the leader, but he also publicly expressed his admiration for the politician on social media.
"One of the most successful minds in the world," Azmoun captioned his photos with the Emir on Instagram, sparking a wave of outrage among Iranian authorities.
This decision could prove fatal for Iran's World Cup hopes. Sardar Azmoun is the second all-time top scorer in the history of the national team and was the undisputed leader in the current qualifying campaign, netting 8 goals in the World Cup qualifiers.
Reminder: Mohamed Salah has been ruled out of the Egypt squad due to injury and risks missing the World Cup.
Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
